While drivers have a duty to stop at crosswalks and obey other traffic safety laws, pedestrians have responsibilities too. As Fort Myers injury attorneys, we want to be sure both drivers and pedestrians understand the rules of the road because simple mistakes are often to blame for serious accidents.

Below are several important duties of pedestrians:

Pedestrians must use sidewalks when provided. Where sidewalks are not available, pedestrians should, when practicable, walk only on the shoulder on the left side of the roadway, facing approaching traffic. A driver and a pedestrian who face each other are generally more aware of each other and crash risk is therefore reduced for pedestrians who travel on the left.

A pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than a (marked or unmarked) intersection crosswalk or a marked mid-block crosswalk shall yield to all vehicles on the roadway.

The driver of a vehicle at any crosswalk where a sign so indicates shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross a roadway. However, the law also states that a pedestrian cannot suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path or a vehicle, which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.

Except in a marked crosswalk, a crossing pedestrian must cross at right angles to the edge of the roadway, or by the shortest route to the opposite side.

A pedestrian may not cross an intersection diagonally except where and when crossing is authorized by official traffic control devices.

Source: Alert Today Florida

The Dellutri Law Group is focused on making bad situations better and putting lives back together. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Fort Myers accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.